Mumbai Monorail Trial Run
The Mumbai monorail is set to commence its commercial trial run from September 1 this year after undergoing several technical trial runs. The commercial trial run will be carried out for a month on the 9.8 km section of the 20 km stretch between Wadala and Chembur.
Technical and Commercial Trial Run
Till now, the monorail has successfully undergone several technical trial runs. In this, the aim of a trial run is to check and address any technical issues. Now, MMRDA has decided to commence the commercial trial run, where the people involved in the construction of monorail will board the trains like normal commuters at the 8 different stations on the commissioned route. A mock commercial trial run will help in checking the commuter interface. The commercial trial run will also provide an insight and approach in handling passengers.
These trial runs are necessary in order to be certified by the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT). SMRT is one of the international agencies similar to the Hong Kong based Mass Transit Rail (MTR) that issues safety certificates for monorail operations. In the case of Mumbai monorail, MMRDA decided to get it certified by SMRT.
Of the total 20 km between Jacob Circle and Chembur via Wadala, only the 9.8 km stretch between Chembur and Wadala will be operational this year. The remaining stretch will be completed only by the end of next year owing to delays in the construction. The delays occurred due to uncertainties in the traffic dispersal system as well as permissions and acquisitions, and hurdle of underground utilities.
Effects on real estate
Infrastructure projects always impact property prices in the project linked localities. The monorail project has already driven up real estate prices. Once the stretch between Chembur and Wadala is fully operational, the commute time between these two areas will be reduced by 20 minutes. Experts anticipate that prices in these areas and areas along the stretch such as Tilak Nagar, Kurla, Chunabhatti, JTD Nagar and Wadala Junction, will rise by at least 20 per cent.
Currently, the capital value for a residential space in Chembur is between Rs. 12,000-16,000 per sq-ft, while rental value for a 2-3 BHK apartment varies from Rs. 18,000-25,000. In Wadala, the capital value ranges between Rs. 15,000-30,000 per sq-ft whereas rental value is between Rs. 20,000-30,000 for 2-3 BHK apartment.
